Your Word says in Colossians 3:17, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Thank you for blessing our time together. Father, let Your will be done in this meeting so that this can be a meeting that is based upon Your desires for us. Though once helpless and dependent on us, they have become the young adults we celebrate and admire today through a transformation that has never ceased to amaze us. Thank you for the blessings of our individual and collective God-given gifts. Bind our hearts and minds by Your Spirit. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to gather here today. All: We light a candle to light the way to a better world for our children and our children's children, and all the children of God. Help us to each listen politely as others share their points of view. to those who cultivated the fields Secular Invocations and Graces - Secular Seasons These prayers will be appropriate for most meetings that Christians would find themselves attending. For all of this we give you thanks. Guidance Prayer Precious Lord, please give us guidance in this meeting because a lack of guidance causes a nation to fall, but victory is won through many advisers. We are grateful that they and their families entrusted Xavier's faculty and staff to engage them intellectually, morally, and spiritually. The object is not just to drum up support among fellow humanists, though such grassroots activism is crucial, but to appeal to everyone's sense of fair play and tolerance. Please sleep under these soft blankets that we may all know safety. Pausing for a moment at the beginning of this Blue and Gold banquet let us still our bodies, quiet our minds, and let us be in a spirit of prayer. Perhaps we can now become effective in making Charleston a more progressive community that celebrates, rather than fears, its diversity. Calm our anxious spirits. serve those who call upon us and to give of ourselves to those in. I was initially quite perturbed by the conduct of council members. May this drink restore our souls, giving new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts. Amen. Amen. 3 Ways Satan Is Deceiving Today's Culture, 4 Reasons Christian Singles Are Tired of the Dating Scene, How You Can Have Eternal Life Through the Cross of Jesus Christ, A Powerful Morning Prayer to Start Each Day, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Change of Command Ceremony for a Squadron/Battalion - Invocation (Christian) (written by Chaplain Daryl Densford, prayed the 5-15 CAV Change of Command Ceremony, Ft. Knox, KY, 2005) Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for this beautiful day that we can stand before you. - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, A Book of Blessings, 186. May this meeting be lively and productive, and may the desired outcome be achieved. Loving Father, we thank you for bringing us together for this meal: may we continue to live in your friendship and in harmony with one another. May this be a safe space for people to express their opinions, and a place where ideas matter more than titles. Thy people bless, and grant that we may feast in paradise with thee. and for those with whom we are about to share it, Help us make new connections and gain wisdom to do the work youve set before us. - Author Unknown. - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, A Book of Blessings, 182. Amen. A Christian Wedding Reception Prayer Dear Lord, we gather in this place in a spirit of celebration and gratitude. May we be blessed by God as we share this food and as we work and live together for the good of all. Father, we do not rely on ourselves for effective results for we are only human and often make mistakes. Bless everyone here and those who couldn't be with us today. May your presence be the extra taste to this meal which we eat in the name of your son, Jesus. Be with us this hour, and every hour, I pray. Amen. May our facilitator keep us on track and help us understand the next steps. May we see the Lord of Life in our food, our conversation and lives shared in common. by war, oppression and exploitation Prayer #4. Place in our hearts the desire to make a difference to our families, to our community, to our country, and to the many cultures and peoples worldwide. Graduation Prayer Invocation & Blessings for High Schools & Colleges A dear friend opened our time together with a heartfelt, inspiring prayer, and it set the tone for the entire day. May this food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thoughts to weary minds. Traditional Opening Wedding Reception Prayer Lord God Almighty, Amen. for the warm hospitality A Countyman Gives Thanks - O God, Source and Giver of all things, who . As we join together to eat, come bless our conversations with the flavour of your grace, supplement the food we share with your heavenly goodness and unite us as one in your everlasting love. Since you redeemed us so dearly and delivered us from evil, as you gave us a share in this food so may you give us a share in eternal life. Nor does a secular benediction need to be explicitly atheist, or exclude anyone because of their beliefs. 07 of 25. Dear God, we seek Your honor in everything we do and say. An Opening Prayer for an Awards Ceremony Dear God, Thank you for bringing us together to recognize the hard work and dedication of this year's award recipients. It was the first time in many months wed seen each other in person, and I realized what a precious gift God had given usthe gift of gathering and opening prayer. Forgive us for moments when weve forgotten to put you first. Father, for our food we thank you, and for our joys: help us love you more. Then one person gently squeezes the hands of the people seated adjacent; this signal is quickly passed around the table and people then begin to eat and talk. We declare that we will be blessed by this gathering. You know everything. A classic humanist alternative to a Christian Grace is: For what we are about to receive Photo Credit: Getty Images/Foxys_forest_manufacture. Prayer for Productive Discussions Lord of wisdom, we pray that You will bless this meeting. Sometimes when we pray we have special requests to ask of God. May this food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thoughts to weary minds. the achievements and accomplishments . Let love and understanding be the foundation. Bless this food [this bread] and grant that all who eat it may be strong in body and grow in your love. PRAYER FOR 50TH CLASS REUNION - Peacefully Harsh We acknowledge You in all our ways, and in all our meetings, so that You will direct our paths. May all be loved. Lord, You are the God of life that sustains every moment of our being. Bless us, O God. Let Your presence be made known and lead this meeting today. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Blessed are you for giving us family and friends to be with us in times of joy and sorrow, to help us in days of need, and to rejoice with us in moments for celebration. Our principles are enshrined in the Constitution, like the right of all citizens to be represented by their elected officials and not to be shunned because their religious beliefs differ from the majority. Please counsel us with Your loving eye on us. Amen. I pray that You bless us as we do not walk in the step of the wicked, but we delight in Your law. Thank you for the gift of family. Amen. Read these prayers for inspiration and ideas on what to ask God for before your meal, or ideas on how to framework your own special requests in your prayer. Prayer of Thanksgiving Gracious God, we thank You for this opportunity to call people for a meeting. Here are a few prayers that center on blessings. Be present at our table, Lord, Be here and everywhere adored. Simply put - invocation is a prayer said at the opening of a ceremony or service to invoke God's blessings. Lets open our hearts to Gods presence by opening our times together in prayer. Father, your Word says in Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Graduation can bring feelings of uncertainty about the future, but we know with you we have hope. We ask you to give us wisdom, patience, and guidance as we plan for the future. those who have no festivity Or this may be an opportunity to go around the table and have each person say what they are grateful for. You have all power. Can you now understand how uncomfortable many non-Christians feel when they are continually subjected to Christian prayers at secular events? Help us not get distracted by things within or outside this room. Gilliard said an atheist giving an invocation is an affront to our troops because they are "fighting for our principles, based on God." Help us to clearly understand the objectives and expectations of this meeting and stay focused on those things. Eternal God, I pray that You bless us in this meeting and keep us. Help us come up with effective strategies that can enable us to move forward as a team in a meaningful way. Come upon us and cause us to have a productive meeting. And as their friends, we thank you for the gifts of loyalty and kindness they have shared with us, and for the models of service and dedication they have been as we ourselves have struggled to grow to adulthood alongside them. Father of mercy, we praise you and give you glory for the wonderful gifts you have given us: for life and health, for faith and love, and for this meal we have shared together. We invite you to be with us during this retreat. Amen. to those who prepared it and those who served it. Praying at a meeting is a great way to remind everyone that God is with each and every one of us. O God, Most Creative and Sustaining Spirit. Prayer for Fruitfulness Dear Lord, I pray that You guide us always. Prayer for God to Answer Righteous God, we call onto You right now and we know that You will answer! May this meal bring us strength and health. However, when I emcee or speak at events, I commonly see one big mistake made consistently. Banquet invocations may be made by anyone who is capable of prayer, including the host, a child in the family setting or an honored guest, suggests the book "The Rituals. appropriate for. - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, A Book of Blessings, 181. Expressing your gratitude and appreciation in prayer is a great way to start off your meal and evening. Help us to be generous toward others, and to work with them so that they too may eat well.